The first day of training camp was fairly docile. Without the pads on, the Rutgers football team was limited in its activities, but spent nearly three hours on the field. Expect more of the same and no major changes to the depth chart until the pads go on Wednesday. …

Freshman running back Casey Turner gets one of the first practice touches of his college career. (Sam Hellman)

Cornerback battle:

Though still very early, the battle opposite, and potentially including, David Rowe at cornerback shapes up to be one of the fiercest of training camp. Senior Brandon Bing has the experience over redshirt freshman Logan Ryan, but Bing started the first game of last season and quickly lost his job to Rowe.

Ryan, one of the top recruits out of New Jersey two years ago, sat on the bench as a redshirt, but impressed during the spring.

Both showcased their speed at the first practice and faired reasonably well against the top receivers during one-on-one drills.

“I saw him do something today that he’s not been able to do,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said of Bing. “I think he’s just improved with his confidence so he plays a little more relaxed. Early in his career he panicked more and now he’s got more confidence because he’s played better.”

Ryan said he was just excited to get on the field knowing that his redshirt year is behind him.

“I haven’t really been on a game field since high school and I’m just excited to go out here and prove what I can do,” he said. “I don’t know that I’m going to play yet, but knowing I have a chance and that I’m not redshirting is an exciting feeling. Having that year under my belt, I know more than I did last year. I’m not lost.”

Injury update:

Junior tailback Joe Martinek left practice early after “tweaking something,” according to Schiano, but he said he doesn’t know any more yet.

Sophomore quarterback Steve Shimko was limited in practice with a lingering shoulder injury from the summer, giving added work to newcomers Chas Dodd, Jason Friday and Tyler Bellia.

“I thought it was sore but I thought he’d be able to go,” Schiano said. “Then we’re getting ready and they said he can’t really throw the ball.”

No-show:

Schiano said all of the Scarlet Knights made it for the first day of practice with the exception of walk-on defensive lineman Joe Falato from Lodi, N.J. Schiano said Falato will be with the team as soon as a personal thing “gets cleared up.”

Recruiting watch:

Highly sought-after recruit Miles Shuler attended today’s practice with Long Branch teammate Ryan Brodie. Shuler is a four-star recruit on Rivals.com and one of the top players in New Jersey and is being recruited as a wide receiver by the Scarlet Knights.

Brodie is one of the top talents in the offensive line from the Class of 2012.

Verbal commit Tyler Kroft, a tight end from Exton, Pa., was also in attendence. Kroft is a three-star recruit on Rivals.com and stands at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds.